Bill R. Richardson

Bill R. Richardson passed away early on Friday, May 4, at his home in Kansas City, Missouri. He was 87 years old. Services will be 10 am, Wed., May 9 at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St., Independence, MO 64055; interment at Mt. Washington Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 9 am before the service at the chapel. The family requests contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Salvation Army and Jobs With Justice. Bill started his career as a painter and soon became an elected union official. He followed that career to Washington, D.C. as an assistant to the President of the International Painters Union in 1970, returned to Kansas City in 1973, and was elected head of the Building and Construction Trades Council in 1974. He served in that capacity until 1991. During that time he served on several local and national union-related committees and many community boards as well.
He married Irma Louise Snavely in 1953, and they had two daughters, Sandra Ray and Susan Kay. He was active in the First Baptist Church of Raytown, serving as a Deacon and General Sunday School Superintendent. Bill and Irma divorced in 1978, and he spent the remainder of his years with his partner Jane VanSant. Bill’s passion for the rights and well-being of working men and women led him to revive Labor’s Educational & Political Club Independent, and the 40-Club, a monthly luncheon for labor representatives. In 1974 he organized an annual dinner to recognize labor heroes, and after he turned the chairmanship over to his friend Bobby Davidson, Bill was recognized with a new Union Solidarity Award, named in his honor.